Hyundai Whips Up Excitement for Fuel Cell Tech

Hyundai used the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to unveil its new dedicated fuel-cell car, called NEXO. Despite ridicule and even rage from electric vehicle fans — including Tesla CEO Elon Musk himself — Hyundai, Honda, Daimler, General Motors, Toyota, and other automakers keep promoting fuel cells as the potential future of cars.

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This isn’t Hyundai’s first time around the block with fuel cell tech. While the Tucson FCEV was interesting, this car was built from the ground up to run on hydrogen. It weighs less, is more efficient, accelerates faster, and can go 370 miles without refueling. Hyundai claims the vehicle is just as durable as internal combustion models, if you’re concerned about that.

NEXO does more than use hydrogen as fuel. Hyundai says it’s the “technological flagship” of the company’s eco-friendly vehicle lineup, and it has the equipment to back that statement up. The Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) pushes Hyundai further along on the autonomous drive journey. Among the new features is a blind-spot monitor that gives live video footage from the side and rear of the vehicle. Does that make you safer? Hyundai seems to think so. You can also get out and have NEXO park itself, or it can pull out of a spot before you get in.

No word yet from Hyundai about when NEXO will launch, but I’d bet it’s closer to fall 2018. Expect it to be available in California and a few other markets where there are hydrogen fueling stations.

Steven has been writing about cars and other transportation issues worldwide for over ten years. His love for cars started long before he can remember, with Corvettes and 911s being his first car-crushes. Since then, he has owned many types of vehicles and has come to appreciate a wide variety of models, the diverse car culture groups, and the automotive industry in general.